The region surrounding this cliff-top hotel "tourism catastrophe," in one independent panelist's words, is located at the tip of the Baja California peninsula.

Though among the farthest points from the U.S. on the peninsula, the area is so devoid of Mexican culture that Cabo San Lucas "can only really be seen as an extension of the United States, and not even its more admirable parts," another panelist said.

More than just authenticity is at risk, another panelist told Traveler magazine: "Entire [coastlines being] bought up by developers [are] destroying turtle beaches and places that should remain natural and protected."